Mob sets afire vehicles at quarry in Davangere dist

Hundreds of residents of Doddabbigere near Santhebennur in the district barged into stone crusher units in the village and set fire to bikes, trucks and a generator on Sunday night. They were protesting against the damage to their houses and properties caused by stone-quarrying activities.

Hanumantha, the owner of the unit and several labourers in the stone crusher units were injured in the clashes between them and the village residents.

The residents staged a snap protest, urging the government and the district administration to ban stone quarrying in the village.

The stone quarrying activities, going on in the village for years, had resulted in drinking water scarcity, pollution and cracks in the houses, they said.

The road connecting their villages were damaged due to the movement of stone-laden trucks, the protestors said. Senior police officials visited the spot. Two platoons of KSRP have been deployed there. Thirteen residents of Doddabbigere have been booked for the incident. Hundreds of residents have left the village, fearing arrests. One bike, an earthmover, generator, several trucks belonging to various stone crusher units were damaged in the incident. Police estimated the losses at Rs 35 lakh. The Chikkajajur police have registered a case.